Calcium and PH - help lisa

I have a 125 Gal. reef tank. I have so much trouble trying to stabilize the ph and calcium. I have a sump, each day I have to add a gal. of water due to evaporation. My ph will fall to 7.8 and if I raise the ph the calcium will drop, right now my ph is 7.8 and cal is 360. This is not enough. What can I do? Please help
Thanks'
Lisa



This question was posted in my thread, figured it needed more exposure so she had a better chance to get help with her problem, thanks

 

Make sure and point your circulation pumps at the water surface this will improve gas exchange and should increase your pH some. You will need to get your calcium up to 420 to get you alkalinity up higher to stabilize your pH. 450 would be better. It will take time to get it there.

 

I would first start by finding a way to stabilize your water level. 1 gal a day seems like a lot to me. That is certainly affecting all of your parameters, including pH an Ca. I'm currently in the process of finding a quality, economical ATO system myself. I'm curious if anyone has a suggestion...?

Anywho, as I learned by trial and error, addressing your Mg level is key to stabilizing Ca. If your Mg is too low, you can dump Ca till the cows come home and the level will never stabilize. Bulk Reef supply sells an affordable 3 part (Mg, Ca, dkh) kit that I use and really like. First test your Mg, Ca and dkh.

Let's assume Mg is deficient (which is likely). First, dose Mg in order to bring it to appropriate levels. Then dose for Ca and dkh and titrate daily in order to cover you DT utilization.

Once I pick an ATO and get it installed/working properly, I hope to automate my dkh & Ca dosing as it is a pain in the A$$ to do every day. Any suggestions for a quality, economical dosing system would be appreciated as well!

 

Hello, welcome to the club!
Here is the chemistry of it for you; Alkalinity & Calcium work together, Calcium & Magnesuim work together. Alkalinity affects PH. So we call this synergism or all the mentioned elements work synergistically as a whole. I hope it doesn't confuse you. Here is an artical to help you understand the chemistry of it all, easy reading and will clear things up for you; Saltwater Aquarium Supplements

 

Mg is low and dropping. Test for it. If you want your Ca to stick around 400+ you'll need your Mg 1400ish+.

I don't think the 1 gallon in a 125 is going to do much to your params. That's very little water.

Stop raising the pH and focus on what your dKH is. Maintain that and your pH will fall in line. What's happening is as you buffer for it, since you have a limited supply of Mg, the buffer is taking the Ca place in the bonds. i.e. there's not enough Mg to go around.

So, raise Mg to 1400 and keep it there. Then worry about getting your Ca and Alk in line, then the pH will be where you want it.


You need to dose though. Or do more frequent water changes...